News and notes as the Capitals prepare for tonights 7:30 puck drop against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Arena in Raleigh:

Backup again: The Caps are expected to face a backup goaltender for the 22nd time this season. Twenty-five-year-old Justin Peters (1-3-0) is expected to get the start for Carolina. The Caps are 11-8-2 against backups this season.

Cane alert: The Capitals have gone 3-1-0 against the Hurricanes this season and are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Carolina is coming off of a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday. The Canes sit in fifth place in the Southeast Division, 15th in the Eastern Conference and are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games.

Alex squared: Alex Ovechkin has collected nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last nine games, while Alex Semin has registered nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last eight contests. Ovechkin has 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists) in 45 career games against the Hurricanes. Semin has 45 career points (27 goals, 18 assists) in 39 career games vs. Carolina.

Rocking Raleigh: The Caps are 4-1-0 in their last five games at RBC Center. Washington is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games overall against the Hurricanes and has outscored them 26-17 in that span.

Tightening up: In their last seven road games the Caps have only allowed two power-play goals on 21 attempts (90.5 percent). The Capitals have also blocked 125 shots in those six road games.

Three for three: Washington outshot Tampa Bay 24-23 on Saturday, marking the third consecutive game in which the Capitals have outshot their opponents. It marked the first time that Washington has outshot its opponent in three straight games since Dec. 3-7.